A data.frame of key waiting list summary statistics based on
queueing theory:
- mean_demand
Numeric. Mean number of additions to the waiting list
per week.
mean_capacity
Numeric. Mean number of removals from the waiting list
per week.
load
Numeric. Ratio between demand and capacity.
load_too_big
Logical. Whether the load is greater than or equal to
1, indicating whether the waiting list is unstable and expected to grow.
count_demand
Numeric. Total demand (i.e., number of referrals) over
the full time period.
queue_size
Numeric. Number of patients on the waiting list at the
end of the time period.
target_queue_size
Numeric. The recommended size of the waiting list
to achieve approximately 98.2% of patients being treated within their
target wait time. This is based on Little’s Law, assuming the system
is in equilibrium, with the average waiting time set to one-quarter of
the target_wait.
queue_too_big
Logical. Whether queue_size is more than twice
the target_queue_size. A value of TRUE indicates the queue
is at risk of missing its targets.
mean_wait
Numeric. Mean waiting time in weeks.
cv_arrival
Numeric. Coefficient of variation in the time between
additions to the waiting list.
cv_removal
Numeric. Coefficient of variation in the time between
removals from the waiting list.
target_capacity
Numeric. The weekly treatment capacity required to
maintain the waiting list at its target equilibrium, assuming the target
queue size has been reached.
relief_capacity
Numeric. The temporary weekly capacity required to
reduce the waiting list to its target_queue_size within 26 weeks,
assuming current demand remains steady. Calculated only if
queue_too_big is TRUE; otherwise returns NA.
pressure
Numeric. A measure of pressure on the system, defined as
2 × mean_wait / target_wait. Values greater than 1 suggest the
system is unlikely to meet its waiting time targets.